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Don't begin travel if a flash flood warning has been issued. In flash floods, waters can rise extremely quickly and carry away vehicles.
Flood Watch
What it means: Flooding might happen.
What to do:
- Check weather updates.
- Traveling? Check routes. Consider avoiding areas prone to flooding.
- Monitor rivers/streams.
- Be ready to move to higher ground.
Flood Warning
What it means: Flooding is happening.
What to do:
- Move to high ground.
- Avoid travel if you can.
- Already on the road? Be vigilant and turn around if you encounter barriers or standing water.
Severe Weather
If you encounter severe weather on the road, pay attention to alerts and warnings.
Wind
During windy conditions, watch for fallen power lines and trees, and report them immediately by calling 911.
Fog/Heavy Rain
Heavy rain and fog can greatly reduce visibility on the roads.
Slow down, turn on your low beams, and be extra cautious in these conditions.
Tornadoes
Encountering a tornado warning on the road is a scary situation, but it can happen.
There is no safe option when caught in a tornado in a car — just slightly less dangerous ones.
🏨 If you can safely do so, seek shelter in a nearby, sturdy building.
🚗 If you see the tornado and it's far away, and traffic is light, you might be able to drive out of its path. Move at right angles away from the tornado.
🛑 If you can't get away from a tornado and are stuck in your car:
👉 Park quickly, out of traffic lanes. Avoid sheltering under a bridge.
🙆♀️ If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, leave your car and lie in that area. Cover your head with your hands.
🚘 If you can't get somewhere noticeably lower than the roadway, stay in your car with the seatbelt on. Put your head down below the windows, and cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat, or other cushion (if possible).
6 Items to Keep in the Car:
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1
🤳Cellphone
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2
🤕 First-aid kit
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3
🔦 Flashlight
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4
⚡ Jumper cables
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5
🔧 Basic tools
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6
🥫 Food & water
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Outside
Spring weather means more time outside for many of us. Along with fall, it also brings the greatest seasonal wildfire risk in Pennsylvania.
Severe Weather
When thunder roars, go indoors. Thunder means lightning is close enough to strike. Lightning strikes are more common than many people think, and being outside during a storm brings the greatest risk.
Lightning tends to strike the tallest object around. If you can't get indoors during a storm, get away from:
🌳 Tall, isolated trees
🌊 Bodies of water
🐮 Barbed-wire fences
💡 Powerlines
🏢 Tall structures
⚾ Open structures (dugouts/gazebos)
⛳ Open spaces (like golf courses)
Outdoorsy Activities
Pennsylvania has a lot of beautiful landscape to explore. Going hiking or camping? Do it safely:
🌩️ Know the forecast
🗣️ Let friends and family know your plans
🚗 Have an evacuation plan
🏠 Know how fast you can find shelter
⛑️ Bring a safety kit
📻 Bring a weather radio
Prevent Wildfire
Make sure conditions are safe before starting any kind of outdoor fire. Check to see if your local authorities have posted recent red flag warnings, and be aware of dry/windy conditions.
Fully extinguish all fires before leaving a fire site.
At Home
We like to use spring cleaning as an opportunity to tackle common fire hazards. Some quick tips:
🔌 Don't use electrical appliances with frayed cords
🚫 Make sure cords don't extend under rugs or other flammable materials
👀 Inspect your dryer's lint traps and exhaust ducts for debris
🍂 Remove dead leaves/other flammable debris from foundations, under decks, porches, and stairs
👉 Test smoke alarms
⛽ Make sure gasoline is only stored in containers sold for that purpose
🚫 Never bring gasoline indoors; keep gasoline containers in a detached garage or outdoor shed
Grilling
Nice weather = cookouts. But grilling unsafely can cause fire.
From 2014-18, fire departments responded to an average of 8.9 thousand home fires involving grills, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Safety tips:
🚫🚶♂️ Never leave a grill unattended
🌳 Only use grills outdoors
🐜 Check grill for rust, insects, spiders, grease, and other debris before use
🧼 Clean grease and fat buildup before using
↔ Place grill away from your home, deck railings, eaves, and overhanging branches
🕵️♀️ Check gas tank hose for leaks before using grill for the first time each year
👧🐶 Keep kids and pets at least 3 feet from grill area
⬆ Always open gas lid before lighting it
Burning
Burn safely to prevent fire and injury.
🔥 Only burn yard debris or use fire pits when permitted by local ordinances
🚫 Don't burn during dry/windy weather
